Harbour Holidays

Rattling masts in the morning breeze. Vinegar on chips. Salt in the air. Aching calves. A well-earned pint. Fish on the quay. A loosened buckle at dinner. Go on, just one more bite…

Padstow Guide

Historic harbour, winding backstreets, famous faces and unforgettable vistas – Padstow’s well known for a lot of things. But it’s the little surprises that will really light up your holiday…

Padstow is located on the north Cornwall coast and remains a working fishing harbour to this day. Fishermen serve fresh, local catch to the restaurants which in turn serve their delicious fare to hungry holidaymakers. The harbour is the heart of life Padstow and the focal point for most Padstow adventures. It’s a wonderful location for a short break or extended family holiday in this beautiful part of Cornwall. If you visit Padstow, please drop into the Harbour Holidays office right beside the harbour and discover the range of Padstow cottages we have available.

A saint, a camel and a lobster or two

Padstow Harbour Holiday Cottages

Padstow Harbour Holiday Cottages

As a working fishing port and bustling harbour town, Padstow is full of life all year round. Tucked off the Camel estuary and just moments from North Cornwall’s impressive cliffs and beaches, visitors have always been drawn to our little corner of the county, from Cornwall’s patron saint St Petroc, who’s arrival founded Padstow in 500AD, to Victorian holidaymakers hopping off the Atlantic Coast Express centuries later.

Today it’s cyclists not steam engines that lay claim to Padstow’s railway. Its old tracks form tranquil cycle path that skirts the river Camel, while the station site marks the entrance to the harbour and plays home to Rick Stein’s famous fish and chip shop, not to mention the National Lobster Hatchery.

Get an even better sense of the town and discover our self-catering holiday homes in Padstow.

She’s a beauty

Poppy fields near the coastal holiday town of Padstow

Poppy fields near the coastal holiday town of Padstow

From the fishermen’s cottages huddled in the backstreets, to the grand merchants’ houses sitting up high, Padstow has a unique Cornish charm. Tables and chairs line the harbourfront, while tasty treats, unusual gifts and must-have mementos wait round every corner.

Wander a little further afield and you’ll discover the historic Parish Church, which bears St Petroc’s name, the stately Prideaux Place and the herd of fallow deer, which forms its Deer Park.

Away from the shelter of the harbour, Cornwall’s coast sweeps enticingly to the horizon, begging to be explored. And as a designated area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) its call is almost impossible to resist. Trust us, we’ve tried.

Can you taste it?

Fishing boat arrives in the port of Padstow at the Camel estuary in north Cornwall

Fishing boat arrives in the port of Padstow at the Camel estuary in north Cornwall

For many people Padstow and Rick Stein go hand in hand. Whether you’re more seafood restaurant, bistro, or chips on the quay, there’s a Stein to suit all tastes and pockets.

But he’s not the only celebrity chef in town. Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth restaurant  demands a visit, while just across the estuary Nathan Outlaw’s serious fish skills lure visitors and locals alike.

Add to that a bounty of independent restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from and every time your tummy rumbles you can try somewhere new.

Find out more about getting a taste of the town, and the best places to stay when you do.

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